JULIE JOSWIAK, VAULT DENIM

Julie Joswiak had always wanted her own store and now she has one -- just without the storefront. Joswiak maintains a local inventory for Utah-based Vault Denim, which sells designer jeans and its own premium line at home parties.

Joswiak orders additional inventory and works with independent sales consultants to select the 130 pairs of jeans each typically takes to a Vault Denim party. She hosts her own Vault Denim parties as well.

Joswiak worked at the Mall of America Bloomingdale's for a decade before getting laid off last year (the store closed in March). Earlier, she had been general manager of the mall's Eddie Bauer store and had worked with Limited Brands.

Vault Denim, founded in 2010, offers overstocked designer jeans at up to 50 percent off retail. It has more than 200 consultants in the Twin Cities among more than 11,000 nationwide.

One plus of Vault Denim's business model, Joswiak said, is that sales consultants do not have to buy their inventory, checking it out instead from a regional coordinator. The cost to become a sales consultant is only $159. Shoppers benefit because they usually get to take their purchases home with them from the party instead of waiting for them to be shipped.

QWhat similarities are there between your role in direct sales and in retail?

AI love, love, love to sell. The satisfaction of people when they find that something that works so well ... that's a great feeling.

QHow did you like working at the Mall of America?

AMeeting people from all over the world was really exciting and intriguing. There's something for everyone out there.

QWhat did you like about the Vault Denim opportunity?

AWorking in clothing and fashion, helping motivate people and lead them to success. It's great to be in charge of my own destiny.